The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (November 24) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Edmunds County of the State of South Dakota, Fresno County of the State of California, Linn County and Marion County of the State of Oregon, and LaMoure County of the State of North Dakota in the United States (US), the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above-mentioned areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 21 470 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 57.11 million poultry eggs from the US in the first nine months of this year.

     â€‹â€‹"The CFS has contacted the American authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.

     Mobile Libraries 9, 11 and 12 will suspend services during designated periods in December for routine maintenance, while the Mobile Library 6 service point at Ap Lei Chau Estate in Ap Lei Chau will be relocated back to the area adjacent to Lei Tim House from December 19 (Tuesday), a spokesman for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (November 24).

     Mobile Library 12 will suspend services from December 4 to 9. The affected service points are Cheong Shing Court in Fanling, Kwong Fuk Estate in Tai Po, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen King Circuit Playground, and Cheung Shan Estate in Tsuen Wan, Kwai Luen Estate in Kwai Chung, and Fu Cheong Estate in Sham Shui Po. For enquiries about Mobile Library 12 services, please call 2479 1055.

     Mobile Library 11 will suspend services from December 15 to 21. The affected service points are Easeful Court and Cheung Ching Estate in Tsing Yi, Tin Wah Estate in Tin Shui Wai, Lai Yiu Estate in Kwai Chung, Wan Tau Tong Estate and Tai Yuen Estate in Tai Po, and Kwong Yuen Estate in Sha Tin. For enquiries about Mobile Library 11 services, please call 2479 1055.

     Mobile Library 9 will suspend services from December 26 to 30. The affected service points are Oi Tung Estate in Aldrich Bay, Heng Fa Chuen in Chai Wan, Tin Wan Estate in Aberdeen and Tai Hong Street in Lei King Wan. For enquiries about Mobile Library 9 services, please call 2505 4690.

     In addition, the Mobile Library 6 service point at Ap Lei Chau Estate in Ap Lei Chau will be relocated back to the area adjacent to Lei Tim House from Lei Ning House starting from December 19. The opening hours will remain unchanged, i.e. from 10am to 1pm, and 2pm to 6pm every Tuesday (except library closing days and public holidays). For enquiries about Mobile Library 6 services, please call 2505 4690.

     Readers are welcome to use other public libraries during the service suspension periods. They may also renew library materials by telephoning 2698 0002 or 2827 2833, or via www.hkpl.gov.hk.

     The Buildings Department approved 19 building plans in September, with seven on Hong Kong Island, seven in Kowloon and five in the New Territories.

     Of the approved plans, 11 were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, five were for commercial developments, one was for factory and industrial developments, and two were for community services development.

     In the same month, consent was given for works to start on six building projects which, when completed, will provide 10 523 square metres of gross floor area for domestic use involving 305 units, and 177 592 sq m of gross floor area for non-domestic use. The department has received notification of commencement of superstructure works for five building projects.

     The department also issued 25 occupation permits, with three on Hong Kong Island, four in Kowloon and 18 in the New Territories.

     Of the buildings certified for occupation, the gross floor area for domestic use was 149 002 sq m involving 3 195 units, and 580 941 sq m was for non-domestic use.

     The declared cost of new buildings completed in September totalled about $24.7 billion.

     In addition, 13 demolition consents involving 13 building structures were issued.

     The department received 3 043 reports about unauthorised building works (UBWs) in September and issued 741 removal orders on UBWs.

     The full version of the Monthly Digest for September can be viewed on the Buildings Department's homepage (www.bd.gov.hk).

     â€‹The Hong Kong Observatory Calendar 2024 is on sale today (November 24).
 
     The calendar displays beautiful photos of weather and optical phenomena contributed by photography enthusiasts through the Community Weather Observing Scheme. Members of the public can appreciate the wonders of nature through these photos, which include scenes of double rainbows, asperitas and radiation fog. The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) wishes that the photos will encourage the general public to protect the environment, be aware of climate change and its impacts, and embrace a greener lifestyle.
 
     Each calendar photo has a QR code that allows readers to access information about the photo. The calendar also contains climate and astronomical information, including monthly climatological data and special climatological events, the times for the rising and setting of the sun and the moon, as well as tidal information.
 
     At $28 a copy, the calendar is available for sale at the online Government Bookstore, the HKO Resource Centre, the Publications Sales Unit of the Information Services Department and the Kowloon Map Publications Centre of the Lands Department.

     The Lands Department announced today (November 24) that demand notes for Government rent in excess of $100 per annum for the half year ending December 25 in respect of properties subject to the Government Leases Ordinance (Cap. 40) and certain other properties have been issued.

     Payers can settle Government rent through various electronic means including autopay, bank automated teller machines, e-Cheque/e-Cashier's Order, the Faster Payment System, payment by phone service (PPS), and bill payment services provided by banks and PPS on the Internet. Payment may also be made in person and in cash at designated convenience stores. For details, please visit the Treasury's website at www.try.gov.hk.

     Payment may be made by sending a crossed cheque to PO Box No. 28000, Gloucester Road Post Office, Hong Kong, or in person at any post office. Please ensure sufficient mailing time and postage to make the delivery in order. Underpaid mail will be rejected. For locations of post offices and their opening hours, please call Hongkong Post's enquiry hotline at 2921 2222 or visit its website at www.hongkongpost.hk.

     Government rent payers who have not received their demand notes should enquire at the Government Rent and Premium Unit of the Lands Department at 1/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, or call 2231 3033.

     Purchasers of properties are strongly advised to instruct their solicitors to ensure that Government rent has been paid to date at the time of purchase. Enquiries on outstanding accounts can be made at 2231 3033 or by email to landsd@landsd.gov.hk. An enquiry fee is payable for each property if a written confirmation of accounts position is needed.